Constraint induced movement therapy: efficacy in a Turkish stroke patient population and evaluation by a new outcome measurement tool.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to show if constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is effective in a Turkish stroke patient population and whether the effectiveness could be measured by a different evaluation tool, i.e. Kocaeli Functional Evaluation Test (KFET).


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with subacute or chronic stroke were included in the study. At the beginning, all the patients received a conventional rehabilitation programme for 3 weeks. Seventeen patients who had no improvement in upper extremity functioning with this conventional programme received CIMT for 3 weeks. Active range of motion (ROM) and modified Ashworth scale of the plegic upper extremity were noted; Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and KFET were performed to each patient before and after CIMT.


RESULTS
Active ROM of shoulder flexion (P<0.001), abduction (P<0.001), and external rotation (P=0.005), wrist flexion (P=0.025), and extension (P<0.01) of the plegic upper extremity improved significantly after CIMT. There were significant improvements in functional ability scale (P<0.05 for all parameters) and performance time results of 13 (P<0.05 for all parameters) out of 15 parameters of WMFT. Significant improvements were observed in quality-ability scores of every subunit of each activity (P<0.05 for all parameters) and performance time scores (P<0.05 for all parameters) of KFET.


CONCLUSIONS
CIMT is found to be a noteworthy treatment for improving the function of the hemiplegic upper extremity in this Turkish patient population.
Dursun
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Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey. nigard@hotmail.com
Dursun
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Sade
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Cekmece
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D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology